10 Movie Ripoffs Better Than The Original

7. Kill Bill Is Better Than Lady Snowblood

Raiders of the Lost Ark Secret of the Incas
Miramax

Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about wearing his multitude of cinematic influences on his sleeve, and to that point it didn't take long for cinephiles to appreciate that Kill Bill was heavily inspired - if we're being kind - by the 1973 Japanese revenge classic Lady Snowblood.

Like Lady Snowblood, Kill Bill follows a heroine who seeks revenge against those who slaughtered her family, with a non-linear narrative, and with part of the story told through animation (similar to Snowblood's storyboard-like asides).

Hell, the theme song to Lady Snowblood was even featured in Kill Bill, and Meiko Kaji - who was both the lead actress in Lady Snowblood and sang the aforementioned theme - later claimed that Tarantino showed the film to his cast and crew while shooting Kill Bill.

This is really a best-case scenario where both movies are great, honestly, though Kill Bill's sheer energetic brio, ambitious storytelling format, and Uma Thurman's excellent performance nudge it ahead.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.